Wilburn Bailey

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Father, Papa and friend, Ira Wilburn Bailey Jr. Wilburn was born on March 27, 1931 in Bell County, Texas to Ira Wilburn Bailey Sr. and Iris Ratliff Bailey. He passed away on November 25, 2022 with his loving family by his side.

Wilburn grew up in and around the Johnson, Tokio and Pool Communities, then later went on to graduate from Brownfield High School in 1949. After graduation he attended Texas Tech University where he earned his bachelor's degree in International Business in 1953. This same year, Wilburn married the love of his life, Patsy Laverne Lasiter. The couple lived in Lubbock to begin, then later moved back to the family farm in the Johnson Community, where he farmed his family’s land with his father, IW Bailey Sr. and brother, Bob Bailey. Wilburn and Patsy started their family of three daughters while living on the farm, where they taught them the value of hard work and determination. They were members of the local square dance club, the Terry Twirlers. He taught his girls how to dance, and was always known to cut a rug with all the girls in the family. Wilburn was a member of the Baptist Church in Tokio until it closed, then went on to attend the Church of Christ in Brownfield with Patsy.

In 1970, Wilburn moved his family to Brownfield, Texas, where they would reside for the remainder of their lives together. He started Agri-Equipment in Brownfield, which he owned and operated for 22 years. He was a successful business man; he knew everything there was to know about tractors and farm equipment. Wilburn loved to travel with Patsy, go to farm sales every chance he got, play poker with his buddies and spend time with his family. He was the hardest working man we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. At the end of every day, all he wanted to do was go home to his loving wife and girls. Wilburn believed in being the type of man that his family looked up to, respected and learned from. He raised his daughters to be strong, kind and determined women, which is also the legacy he left for his many grandchildren. You could often find WIlburn teaching his grandkids how to play poker or dominoes, enjoying a fresh watermelon from the farm, or watching some Texas Tech sports in his chair at home. He was the type of father and “Papa” that was always quick to make sure you had gas in your car and spending money in your pocket. He loved taking care of his family and spent his entire life proving that.

Wilburn and Patsy had three daughters, Stephanie, Tammie and Patricia. The amount of pride and joy he showed for his girls could be seen and felt by all that knew him. He was a true believer in leading by example and left an astounding legacy for generations to come. Papa was a title that he cherished, he loved each of his ten grandchildren immensely. He would always ask for a kiss on the cheek from the granddaughters and a handshake from the grandsons. He was the type of Papa that would have given us everything he had in the world just to see us happy.

Wilburn is preceded in death by his father; Ira Wilburn Bailey Sr., Mother, Iris Ratliff Bailey and wife Patsy Laverne Bailey. He is survived by his sister Joann Attaway, brother Bob Bailey (Kay), his three daughters, Stephanie Allen (Justin) of Lott, Tx, Tammie Cozart (Rocky) of Cisco, Tx, Patricia Medlock of Hernando, Ms. Ten grandchildren, Shad Glover (Susan) of Lubbock, Tx, Kacey Iglesias (David) of Lubbock, Tx, Jason Hamm (Mindy) of Midland, Tx, Logan Hamm (Kenna) of Dripping Springs, Tx, McKinsey Cozart of Plano Tx, Shelby Gibson of Granbury, Tx, Amanda Phillips (Craig) of Martindale, Tx, Kelsey Newman (Dan) of Austin, Tx, Bailey Brown (Brady) of San Antonio, Tx and Winn Medlock of New York, NY. Wilburn is also survived by 18 great grandchildren with two more on the way.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Ranger Care Center in Ranger, Tx for all of their kindness and compassion in caring for him.

There will be a visitation at the Brownfield Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, November 28, 2022, and a celebration of life at the First Baptist Church in Brownfield at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. The burial will precede the celebration of life Tuesday morning at 9:00 am at Terry County Memorial Cemetery.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, in lieu of flowers.

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.”